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A study to examine the extent of damage to the crumbling walls of a 12th Century castle in County Durham is to start "within days", experts have said.

Sections of Barnard Castle's walls collapsed four years ago, but damage was left unrepaired because no-one has accepted responsibility.

Durham County Council, English Heritage and Raby Estates, have now agreed to fund a £50,000 structural survey.

A team of specialist engineers has been appointed to carry out the work.

The three organisations said they realised the importance of working together to resolve the "complex issue".

The structural survey will be carried out from County Bridge to properties behind Bridgegate.

'Complex and challenging'

In a statement, they said: "These early stages will be crucial in deciding the timeline and extent of the issues on location.

"This is a complex and challenging project for the team and the site will be subject to rigorous health and safety regulations for everyone's protection.

"It is therefore particularly important that anyone without the relevant permissions does not try to access the site, for their own safety.

"We would like to assure members of the public that this very intricate work is moving forward in the appropriate timescale and is being supported at all times by expert advice in recognition of the site's historic importance."

Set high on a rock above the River Tees, the castle is named after its 12th Century founder Bernard de Balliol.

The plan will particularly help the North East which has one of the highest levels of fuel poverty in the country, said Energy Secretary Ed Davey.

14:16:Weaknesses in flood walls spotted

The Environment Agency said flood defence work has been carried out in Stanhope village in County Durham after weaknesses in the walls were spotted.

Assistant project manager Duncan Harrison said: "New evidence helped identify some low spots in the existing defences. By replacing the wall along Wear Terrace and raising the walls and banks around Butts House we have been able to further reduce the risk of flooding in Stanhope."

Stanhope has been deluged in recent downpours most significantly in January 1995 when 21 properties were flooded following heavy rain.

Harvey Madden had been suffering from leukaemia and lymphoma. He died from an infection yesterday in North Tees General Hospital, Stockton. He was 66.

13:16:'Horrible dogfight' expectedConor McNamaraBBC Match of the Day commentator

A horrible dogfight. That's how Steve Bruce was describing the relegation battle, even before his team lost to Stoke City on Saturday.

While the Hull manager believes that Peter Crouch's winner was offside, he also needs much more from his players at the moment. Hull only produced one shot in the whole game at The Britannia Stadium.

Tuesday's opponents Sunderland have gone four league games without victory, and Gus Poyet has only seen his side win once in the league since Christmas.

One of those defeats was at home to Hull on Boxing Day. Sunderland got off to the perfect start when Adam Johnson scored in the first minute but Hull came back to win the game 3-1. Read more of my match preview here.

13:01:News on the hour

The top local headlines at 13:00 are:

BBC Tees: Campaigners are angry at the planning inspectorate's dismissal of the blueprint for County Durham's future for being "too ambitious"

Jo, from Gateshead, has a rare medical condition called Usher Syndrome. As well as being born deaf, by the age of 29 she was also losing her sight. But in March last year she was fitted with cochlear implants.

A British Transport Police spokesman said the woman died at the scene and officers were trying to identify her.

09:35:Image of football 'smoke bomber'

Transport police are trying to identify a man who lobbed a smoke bomb at young football fans waiting at Sunderland metro station after a match.

Officers have released this grainy CCTV image of a man in a cap who they want to speak to about the attack in the hope that someone will recognise him.

They even believe the suspect boarded the 20:21 service to Newcastle Monument with the rest of the fans after the smoke bomb was thrown.

It happened on 5 February following the Sunderland versus Newcastle under 18s fixture at the Stadium of Light.

PC Michelle Clark, of British Transport Police, said: "A group of supporters left the ground before the game had finished and headed to the station. Once in the station one of the group threw a smoke bomb off the platform in the direction of a group of Sunderland supporters in the car park."

BBC Tees: The number of asylum seeker applications in Middlesbrough has gone up in 10% over the last decade, the BBC learns.

08:41:Commuters tackle snowThe Chronicle

Commuters woke up to parts of County Durham and Northumberland having a light blanketing of snow. However, Newcastle and Sunderland were spared the snow flakes apart from a few icy patches as well as strong sunshine.

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